Sunday School

In this lesson we will continue to look at rewards that a saved person can earn as a result of faithfully serving the Lord Jesus Christ. As shown in the previous lesson salvation is not earned nor is it kept by works but as a result of being saved we should work faithfully for the Lord. Also in the previous lesson we saw some of the crowns that a saved person can earn. This lesson will focus on earning a reign with the Lord Jesus Christ during the millennium.

Revelations 20:1-6

In this passage we see that Jesus Christ is going to reign on this earth for 1000 years. The term 1000 occurs 5 times in 6 verses. Many do not believe or teach this reign or they try to spiritualize it, but the word of God is plain that Jesus will reign on this earth from the throne of his father David for a 1000 year period.

During this reign Jesus will be KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS. He will reign from Jerusalem and the Jews will be the leading nation. It will last for a period of 1000 years and during this time Satan will be bound in the bottomless pit. Also in the passage we see that some will be reigning with him.

All saved people from the church age make up the bride of Christ and will be with Jesus during the millennial reign, but it appears that reign or having a position of authority is conditioned upon being faithful after salvation.

2 Timothy 2:11-14

Verse 12 is the key in this passage note that it says that if we suffer with him we shall also reign with him. Therefore suffering with him seems to be the key for reigning with him. Therefore the reign is an earned reward.

Now some people try to use this verse to show that a person can lose their salvation because the second part of the verse says that if we deny him he will deny us. Now the question is then what is he denying us? If you look at verse 13 it is plain to see that he cannot deny himself even if we believe not. If you are saved you are in Jesus Christ and he is in you. Therefore if he denies you then he would be denying himself. So the verse is not talking about Salvation. Then what is it referring to?

The verse is talking about Jesus denying you a reign. If you are faithful and suffer with him you will reign with him. If you deny him he will also deny you. This shows us that the millennial reign with Jesus Christ is a reward that can be earned.

At this point someone will usually ask about the verse in Galatians 5:21 where it talks about not inheriting the kingdom of God for committing the works of the flesh. Now biblically speaking the Kingdom of God during the church age is a spiritual kingdom that is entered by the new birth (Romans 14:17 ; Luke 17:20-21; John 3:5). The Kingdom of Heaven in the word of God is always a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ reigning on a literal throne on the earth. Hence this will take place during the millennial reign of Jesus Christ on this earth. When Jesus Christ was on the earth the first times both the kingdoms were present and at hand that is why both were preached about. And when he returns to this earth at the Second Advent they will both be present again. That is why John 3:3 says that you can see the kingdom of God even though Luke 17:20-21 says that it does not come with observation. Right now it is a spiritual kingdom. But during the millennial reign it will be on earth just like the kingdom of heaven so when Galatians 5:21 says inherit the Kingdom of God it is referencing the millennial reign. The key word here is “inherit”. We do not inherit salvation therefore it cannot be the spiritual kingdom, but we can earn a millennial reign as a reward.

As to the structure of how we will reign or over what we will reign I am not all that sure as I have not found it pinpointed in the word of God. But there is a parable that Jesus gave that seems to point to the fact that we may reign over a number of cities depending on how well we served him after salvation. This parable is called the parable of the 10 pounds and is found in Luke 19:11-27.

Rewards That We Can Earn (Part 2)

Handout

1) What is the event being described in Revelation 20:1-6?

2) List a few details about the even form the question above.

3) How can we earn the millennial reign with Jesus Christ? Give scripture.

4) What is the difference between the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God?

5) How do we reconcile Galatians 5:21 with the difference from above?

6) What is the parable that Jesus gave which seems to be connected with earning the millennial reign?